Would you live across the street from an elementary school?

[Anonymous]

We've been looking in the area and this seems to check all our boxes, but I'm not sure about living directly across the street. Traffic for sure would be an issue twice a day, but that probably wouldn't be a huge issue for us, and it would be pretty sleepy in the summer. And a playground right across the street. What else should I be thinking about? (we would probably use the elementary school and then go private for middle/high, please don't turn this into a discussion about school quality)

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Alexandria/2510-Cameron-Mills-Rd-22302/home/11849897

[Anonymous]

We live one street away from our elementary, but I wouldn't mind living right in front of it! Even for back-to-school-night events, it's not crazy. Now a high school, I might have second thoughts about.

[Anonymous]

I would love it. Easy to send the kids, pickup, back to school night, etc, easy access to a playground on weekends. Traffic is only bad as drop off and dismissal, when I'm usually not even home.

[Anonymous]

I'd go sit parked on the road at school start and end time. WHat's it like then? Are people parking haphazardly all over for pick up and drop off? Is it orderly? If you came home at 3 pm one day in the middle of the week, would you be able to get down the street and park?

[Anonymous]

I have a friend who lives in front of one. It is great. So jealous.

[Anonymous]

Personally no. I wouldn't want school buses and people rushing to the school if I am trying to get to work. I have other friends who get people cutting through their homes etc.

Living down the street from our elementary school is pretty annoying in the mornings.

[Anonymous]

Go there during a weekday and see how you like it. You'll probably hear announcements over the PA from time to time. You'll hear class changing bells. There will be more traffic around pick up and drop off and school events, but you'll want to see how that impacts you (where people park, how long it lasts, etc.). There also might be bus traffic.

I have lived behind a school and now a block down from a school. It's never really bothered me other than the occasional parent using the area around my home for parking too long or my driveway for turning around.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the parking and traffic situation. It's not just pick up and drop off, but also school events you have to deal with. Parking at our school is a nightmare for any event.

[Anonymous]

It could save you a lot of time for the years that your kids go there. After that, it would be a nuisance but there will always be buyers when you decide to sell. Also, with a school across the street, that limits the options of other buildings that could be built on that lot. That is probably a good thing since they're not going to just decide to build a half-way house, bar or massage parlor there.

[Anonymous]

I looked at the street view and this isn't so bad, the good thing is that the house doesn't face the parking lot.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I would. No problem at all.

[Anonymous]

I used to live a few blocks from there. It's a nice area. I'd do it!

[Anonymous]

I've lived directly across from an elementary school before I had kids.

I think when you have kids, it won't feel like a huge deal. Minor annoyances are anytime you are home sick or trying to work from home, it can possible be very loud all day depending on where the playground is located. I think the playground there is located around back, which would help somewhat. In my case, the playground was on the side of the school and I could hear kids screaming literally all day. If you had a baby in the house that was trying to nap during maternity leave or if you had a nanny at home, kind of a nightmare. I would go to the house during a school day and have a listen just to see.

Parking is a nightmare a lot of the time, not just drop off and pick up. But if you have a driveway, it's not a huge deal. We did not have a driveway and it got annoying.

[Anonymous]

we live in neighborhood with 3 schools. It really isn't that much of a hassle. Our elementary school is just 7 houses down. I don't think there is much drawback. You learn the traffic patterns and work around them.

[Anonymous]

Yes. I think one block off, or backing to the school, is ideal. But I would be fine across the street. We tried to buy closer to our elementary but couldn't find anything.